Mature student accommodation (5 year course)

[MollyMouse]

Hi,

I'm hopefully coming to Nottingham this Autumn and want to sort out my accommodation ASAP. I've lived in Halls this year as a mature student and it hasn't been the best experience, and some of my classmates and I are thinking of getting a house.

Would anyone be able to tell us when is best to start looking? Will the current first years have snapped all the houses up by now? Or is there still time? And is it better to get a house nearer the university or nearer town?

Is cycling a possibility? (For someone who isn't keen on traffic)

Alternatively, are there any kind of halls or student accommodation which most mature students go for?

I've looked on the website and it says the best areas to look are Lenton, Dunkirk and Beeston.

Any advice or comments would be really appreciated, sorry if this post doesn't read well, it's rather late and I think I'm falling asleep (thank goodness)!

Thanks,
MollyMouse
x

[Tangliss]

Yeap, Beeston, Dunkirk (although there is a high robbery rate, my Mum lives there and police have called on her more then once, and she was broken into recently, however it's right on the uni's doorstep), Lenton, Wollaton (although very residential, but posh), Stapleford. Keep away from areas such a Radford, Billborough, St Anns, Forest Fields.

Personally, like I told Chris, I would stat looking now. Houses are snapped up fast, especially in the better areas. You don't want to be left with a crap house.

[MollyMouse]

Trust YOU to reply :P lol
Ya, I think Chris and co. are looking at places in Dunkirk ... But he is into martial arts and has a police background so no one will mess with him!

x

[Tangliss]

It's nice in Dunkirk though. My mum lives there, so it can't be all that bad, lol. It's the best place with regards to distance from the med school. Plus, it's not far to cycle.

[joyabbott]

I've been in Dunkirk for 3 years now, and I would recommend it. It's a very "medic-y" area actually, and also postgrads, and normal families. There's 2 parts to Dunkirk, depending on which side of Beeston Road you're on. I live backing onto campus, and am not aware that there have been problems around here. It's quiet, parking is easy, and there's not the general mess that is seen in Lenton. I'm not a fan on Lenton - overpriced, poor housing, and often a long way from QMC.

Beeston is nice although a bit of a trek to QMC.

Lots of people cycle, but I think they must have a death wish! I certainly wouldn't (and have seen many of the casualties on ITU!).

Everyone panics about finding accomodation. 1st years seem to start looking earlier and earlier every year, and to be honest, as a result this has pushed up rents etc. There is now soooo much accomodation - more than demand I would say. New houses come up all the time. Many students who own houses (therefore usually nice!!!) don't sell them til July so there's then an influx of nice rentable houses on the market for the September.

[Tangliss]

My mum lives opposite university park. I am going to ask her if she fancies swapping houses, although, I don't think she will go for it.

[joyabbott]

lol

good plan

[Natalie C]

First years are all manically looking now- actually I think most of them have signed on the dotted line. I do know that the university has a housing day in early sept/ late august if you dont have much luck now. You wont have to pay a retainer (normally half rent) for July and August if you wait a bit longer but obviously the nicest houses may be snapped up by then.

Gotta agree Dunkirk is most convenient- this year I have had massive 4 hour gaps between lectures when all the other students go back to hall, so unless you want to spend a lot of quality time in the library being close is really handy.

Natalie